This is our kitchen here in Panajachel. [No, it's not, I'm dreaming.]
This is your kitchen on drugs. [Yes, this is our kitchen, what a sad, depressing sight.]
I've been using the simile: "Houses in Guatemala are like living in a garage. A garage with a toilet." We're spoiled in the States.
Grit your teeth and bear it. At some point I expect we'll no longer cringe and our flesh will no longer crawl, we'll get used to it.
We are using the stove top, but haven't ventured into the broken-handled oven. We're still waiting on repairs and the promised new glass front.
Thank you gracias thank you this was by far your funniest post yet and I love the before and after pictures.
ReplyDeleteIt's only funny because it is real.
I understand you are living in standards beneath what you are used to but the big picture is the sacrifice you're making for Jehovah to look for sheep like ones. Your sacrifices are visible physical mental and emotional and you will be rewarded by Jehovah. I keep you in my prayers everyday. 💌
We've been making personal application of last week's and this week's Watchtower studies. Being patient, and while having faith in Jehovah not expecting extraordinary things.
DeleteExtraordinary would be nice though...
DeleteNot fair. You have 6 burners. I only have 4. You only had 4 before you moved. I'd say that's a step up. Love ya.
ReplyDeleteThe six burner stoves ARE nice, if they are in good shape! I'm still too fearful to look inside!
DeleteFarmer matches! Doesn't anyone make farmer matches anymore?!
DeleteThis stove has electric ignition. Where's the outlet? Opposite side of the kitchen!
Safety matches: scritch, scritch, scritch...fizzle...scritch, scritch, scritch...head fell off...scritch, scritch, scritch...strike pad's worn out!
Hahaha! I was gonna say . . . !! My kitchen looks just like that 'cept I have a ceiling. Lol!
ReplyDeleteHow much is a tub tuk? Maybe you could put Josh to work. Hahaha
You'll be Comforted to know the leaves are uneventful this year, again. Our temps are now in the 60s, might jump to 70 for a day, but 50's are on the way. Actually, this used to be my favorite part of the year, but not this year. Maybe knowing you're at 70° makes me a little blue. This could be our last winter in this system, and it could be a doozie. Maybe not.
We got an Hispanic man who is mostly English yesterday, who perfectly described an invisible and wicked spirit over the earth controlling everything. I can't remember the name, but it had to do with the eye in the top of a pyrmaid.
I acknowledget his deep insight and showed him 1John 5:19, and asked him if it were possible to NOT be under control of this wicked ruler, then showed him John 17:3. We explained how the Kingdom he prays for in the Lord's Prayer is government, and is right now teaching people from the Bible and helping them break free from that control.
He said he really liked us and could tell that we are really good people. Hope this one continues.
I'm going to Scenic Bar tonight, Rob, so I hope you are right about this place. I recently connected with an acquaintance from my youth who has survived pancreatic cancer for 1 1/2 years. We've gotten together once before (seems we both like fish fries) and I had a brief opportunity to witness to her. I'm anxious to hear how she's doing since her nightmare. They removed vital organs and she is on lots of medication, but seems to be doing ok.
Jordan told a funny joke yesterday:
A police officer pulled over a man who was swerving from side to side. When bent down to talk to him the policeman could tell he had been drinking and said: "Have you been drinking? Your eyes look a little bloodshot." The man quickly shot back: "Your eyes look glazed, have you been eating donuts?"
(Can someone please come and post bail.)
You guys are awesome! Glad you are rested and posting again. It's still vacation for you! Even vacations require some downtime.
It is possible to buy a tuk-tuk; I don't recall how much, was it perhaps $16k?
DeleteOur temperatures are fairly consistent, varying up and down from mid-seventies -- might have been down to 59 one night. But lots of rain. Generally get some sunshine most mornings, then afternoon and evening showers. The rain today again was so hard it backed the sewer up into the shower.
Scenic bar is a step back into the "way-back", its not for evrybody. If your expectations aw too high, you won't like it. But if you don't mind being called "hon" and being served comfort food on plastic plates it can be quite enjoyable.
Tell Jordan that I'm going to recommend his mother beat him with a stick to toughen him up for his first tuk-tuk ride. It's like ninja training, gotta get used to the abuse!
I've decided this is no longer like vacation. Vacation has a foreseeable end. This doesn't. When "roughing it" while camping, we alays know that at some point we're going back to the comforts of home. We're not. Still, we'd do it again.
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ReplyDeleteThis author has been removed by the comment.
DeleteDid I post something offensive?
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ReplyDeleteJust curious . . . why?
DeleteI don't remember what I posted.
Do you not have texting to your phone anymore?
Just like many places you travel to, you can live inexpensively in Guatemala, and you could also live expensively. It all depends on you.
ReplyDeleteJust here in Panajachel, you can rent a house for $200 a month, up to (I think the highest I heard) $7000 a month. It all depends on what you're looking for, and what sort of lifestyle you're after.
Here's a sample of what you might spend in Guatemala:
Mangoes (first because they're my favorite) - 3/$0.65 (when they're in season)
Watermelon - $1.30
Papaya - $1.68
Bananas - $0.77/dozen
Carrots - $0.78/dozen
Zucchini - $0.26/each
Eggs - $4.38/30
Milk (in a 1 liter bag) - $1.00
Apples - $1.16/lb imported; $0.39/lb local (when in season)
Pears - $1.16/lb imported
Can of tuna - $1.98
Black beans (dry, 1lb) - $0.65
Tortilla chips - $2.10
Loaf of whole wheat bread - $2.97
Diapers - $7.74 to $11.61
Pack of 80 wipes (Huggies) - $1.94
Diesel - $4.25/gallon
Dinner for two - $5 to $18 (depending on what kind of food you want)
Dinner for seven - $14 (because we usually eat at the market, or get pupusas, where you spend $2.00 a plate)
Cost of living comes down to what your lifestyle is about. If you want to live on fresh fruits and vegetables, and local foods, and in simple accommodations, you’ll live inexpensively.
If you’ll be continuing your diet from ‘home’, with imported foods, and living in a pricey expat neighborhood, you’ll spend a lot more. It’s all up to you.
Guatemala is a great country. I don’t have the slightest hesitation in recommending it as a destination for travel, vacation, retirement or raising your children.
Prices are fairly accurate, however would contest the milk. Haven't found REAL milk here yet at any price!
DeleteWhat was your source?
I don't remember the exact website but I just was searching United States versus Guatemala living costs.
DeleteWe still back track other bloggers/travellers for pointers on living here. The pickins are gettin slimmer.
DeleteWe're relying more on our own experience and personal contacts.
DeleteJust like many places you travel to, you can live inexpensively in Guatemala, and you could also live expensively. It all depends on you.
ReplyDeleteJust here in Panajachel, you can rent a house for $200 a month, up to (I think the highest I heard) $7000 a month. It all depends on what you're looking for, and what sort of lifestyle you're after.
Here's a sample of what you might spend in Guatemala:
Mangoes (first because they're my favorite) - 3/$0.65 (when they're in season)
Watermelon - $1.30
Papaya - $1.68
Bananas - $0.77/dozen
Carrots - $0.78/dozen
Zucchini - $0.26/each
Eggs - $4.38/30
Milk (in a 1 liter bag) - $1.00
Apples - $1.16/lb imported; $0.39/lb local (when in season)
Pears - $1.16/lb imported
Can of tuna - $1.98
Black beans (dry, 1lb) - $0.65
Tortilla chips - $2.10
Loaf of whole wheat bread - $2.97
Diapers - $7.74 to $11.61
Pack of 80 wipes (Huggies) - $1.94
Diesel - $4.25/gallon
Dinner for two - $5 to $18 (depending on what kind of food you want)
Dinner for seven - $14 (because we usually eat at the market, or get pupusas, where you spend $2.00 a plate)
Cost of living comes down to what your lifestyle is about. If you want to live on fresh fruits and vegetables, and local foods, and in simple accommodations, you’ll live inexpensively.
If you’ll be continuing your diet from ‘home’, with imported foods, and living in a pricey expat neighborhood, you’ll spend a lot more. It’s all up to you.
Guatemala is a great country. I don’t have the slightest hesitation in recommending it as a destination for travel, vacation, retirement or raising your children.